# NTSB FTW99LA208: Piper J3C-65, N42378, Sanger, TX, July 30, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1999, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Sanger, TX
- Coordinates: 33.359447, -97.170127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3594&lon=-97.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA208

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain clearance with the power line.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The left main landing gear strut contacted a power line, and subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground.  The airplane had just undergone an annual inspection, and the pilot was flying the airplane back to his private grass airstrip.  When the airplane was 2 miles from the airstrip, the pilot descended to what he 'thought was a safe VFR altitude.'  Subsequently, the airplane contacted the power line, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1999, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N42378, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines and the ground near Sanger, Texas.  The airline transport rated pilot, owner and sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight originated from the Decatur Municipal Airport, Decatur, Texas, at 1120.

According to the 15,000-hour pilot, the airplane had just undergone an annual inspection, and he was flying the airplane back to his private grass airstrip.  While flying over fields approximately 2 miles from his airstrip, he descended to what he "thought was a safe VFR altitude."  He stated that the terrain in the area is "fairly flat ranch land with no houses and no trees."  The left main landing gear strut contacted a power line which extended from FM 455 to a house.  Subsequently, the airplane impacted the ground approximately 50 yards from the power lines, flipped over, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed damage to the wings, fuselage, engine firewall, landing gear, and propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42378](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42378-2022-11-25), registration cancelled 2022-11-25, S/N 14633, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14633
- Engines: Continental 65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Glass
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1999, 1 hours before
- Departed: 8F7, DECATUR, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 15,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DFW

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19990730010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990730010249A), Jul 30, 1999: Piper J3C65, Sanger, TX, Substantial damage. Acft clipped power lines, crashed in open field. 1 serious injury. (.19) on July 30, 1999, at 1130 central daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, N42378, was…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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